“In today’s life, I’m glad I was not elected. Because I was not elected, I was doing good work,” Johnson said Thursday.

“I think you have to weigh that vis-'-vis versus the specter of going through three governors in one term,” Engel said of the idea of Paterson resigning if the allegations do not prove true. “I’m not sure that it wouldn’t be more chaotic.”

Late Monday, ACORN communications director Kevin Whelan issued a statement in response to the news, first reported by City Hall, that ACORN was shuttering offices around the country and reconstituting in New York as a new group called New York Communities for Change.

ACORN, one of the largest social advocacy groups in the country, has been forced to suspend most operations as of today. The website was down by Monday morning, but the phone number for ACORN’s New York office was still connected, offering guidance on mortgage payments, first-time home purchases, general housing inquiries and ACORN housing maintenance. An operator was still answering the phones “ACORN, good morning,” and redirecting calls. By noon on Monday, the phone message had been replaced.

If Ford does enter the primary against Gillibrand for September, analysts expect the race to cost each candidate millions of dollars. For now, though, Ford has been covering many of the tasks associated with his nascent effort himself while quietly ringing up costs for the SUVs and other rental cars, airplane and train tickets, meals and staff costs for the communications services of Davidson Goldin and Tammy Sun.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has selected Anthony Crowell to chair his charter review commission, with the appointment and the full membership to be announced within two weeks, City Hall has learned. Crowell and the other members were finalized within the last few days, though the list remains a closely guarded secret in select corners of the administration and City Hall.

Jonathan Tasini has added his voice to the complaints about timing for the Manhattan County Committee’s endorsement vote for Senate, scheduled for Thursday at the State Democratic Party’s offices on Park Avenue South.